Reread lines Identify the story s conflict. Analyze Stories: Plot (Lines 68-78) In line 68, the story returns to the present and reveals more about the narrator s conflict related to the permission slip. What is suggested by Aunt Madina sneeding to sponsor the narrator s family? There is likely to be a law or requirement that someone already living in America must vouch for, or support, any immigrant who wants to come here. Sponsor: The narrator is explaining the circumstances that led to her family s move to America. Aunt Madinaasked the narrator s family to join her in America and they agreed. The narrator s parents lost their teaching jobs and had to sell family possessions to survive. Aunt Madinamet her American husband and moved after placing her picture in a dating magazine. Their initial conflict involves lack of money. The narrator introduces Aunt Madina, Mama, and Papa. What details explain how an international dating magazine brought the narrator s family to America? Cite Text Evidence 1Ģ The story is set in Kazakhstan and then in America. Lines reveal background on and aspects of the story s characters, setting, and conflict.

Early in a story, the author also introduces a conflict, or problem that has to be solved. Most stories begin by introducing characters, the people involved in the story, and the setting, the time and place of the story. What does this action reveal about her? Analyze Stories: Plot (Lines 15-56) Beginning on line 15, the narrator is describing events from the past that brought her family to America. The narrator decides to take the permission slip even though she is sure she will not be allowed to attend the dance. The use of the word nyetand the reference to life in American suggest that she narrator may be an immigrant to the United States. What can you infer about the narrator? The narrator is a student who wants to be able to go to a school dance but thinks it is unlikely she can get permission. Reread lines Analyze what this first paragraph reveals about the narrator. Analysis: Character (Lines 1-14) The narrator is a character in the story, and she begins the story by presenting her thoughts and actions in a particular situation. Setting a Purpose Read Use the question to focus your reading. When Kazakhstan became an independent country in 1991, the government s policies began to favor native Kazakhs, leading many non-natives to immigrate to other countries. These non-native people eventually outnumbered the natives.

1 Background Info My Favorite Chaperone Short Story by Jean Davies Okimoto Read Background Additional Info: When Kazakhstan was part of the Soviet Union, people from outside the region were encouraged to go there to farm.

My favorite chaperone exposition